"Did you have dinner, Dad? And don't forget to drink lots of water," Abigail Kim said sweetly over the phone.

Mr. Jeong Kim chuckled on the other end.

"I already did, Ha-rin."

"And the twins? Are they asleep now? It's late already."

"They are. You don't have to worry so much."

"I miss them already," Abbie sighed.

Though her parents divorced years ago, she remained close to her father in Korea. Her mom had moved to the U.S., remarried, and built a new family-and now, Abbie was leaving everything familiar to join her.

"Well, I should sleep now," her father said. "Promise me you won't cause trouble at your new school."

"No promises," Abbie giggled. "But I'll try."

"Saranghae, appa. Geongang haseyo," she said softly. I love you, Dad. Take care. She blew a kiss before ending the call.

She leaned back into her airplane seat and glanced out the window at the stars glittering beyond the clouds.

"We'll be landing soon," she whispered.

Her heart twisted. She was excited, sure-but nervous too. Leaving Korea behind wasn't easy. All her friends, her siblings, her routine... everything was changing.

"I miss Korea already."

But then her lips curved into a smile.

"America is fun too, right? New adventures. New friends. And... Lucas."

At the thought of him, she unlocked her phone and opened her messages. Her cheeks flushed as she read his latest text:

💌 Can't wait to finally see my baby in person! Let me know the moment you land. I love you ❤️

"Awww!" she gushed, kicking her feet.

"Shhh!" several passengers hissed around her.

"Oops... sorry," she whispered, shrinking into her seat.

Lucas. Her online boyfriend of six months. They'd met through Instagram, bonded over late-night chats and virtual dates. He lived in New York too-and now, finally, they'd meet in person.

Just as she began to reply, her screen went black.

"What-?! No! Battery low?! You've got to be kidding me!" she exclaimed a little too loudly.

More glares.

"I'm not the silent type," she muttered sheepishly, hugging her dead phone to her chest.

When the plane landed, Abigail stepped out with wide eyes and a wide smile. Her orange-brown hair fluttered in the breeze as she took in her first breath of New York air.

Wearing a pink crop top, sky-blue boyfriend jeans, and matching pink Jordans, she looked like a walking pastel dream.

"New York!! I've arrived!!!" she shouted joyfully, arms spread wide.

People turned to stare. Someone even snapped a photo without her noticing.

✧ At the Mansion ✧

The sleek black car pulled into the driveway of a grand, modern mansion.

"Whoa," Abbie gasped, stepping out. "Mom must've hit the jackpot."

A driver carried her luggage inside, leading her through the marble entrance hall.

"Gail!" a beautiful woman in her mid-40s called out. Her short dark hair framed her elegant face.

"Mommy!" Abbie cried, racing into her arms.

They hugged tightly, rocking slightly in place.

"Gosh, I missed you," Abbie sniffed. "You look... old."

Veronica gasped dramatically, fanning fake tears.

"Are you calling me ugly? I carried you for nine months, Abigail!"

"Still a drama queen," Abbie muttered, smiling.

Another voice rang out from the stairs. "Has Abbie arrived?!"

A bubbly teen with shoulder-length curls came running down and practically tackled Abbie in a hug.

"Oh my God! She's so pretty! Mom, you didn't tell me she's prettier than me-I'm jealous!"

Abbie laughed. "And you must be Kate."

Veronica chuckled. "Yes, that's your sister. And that-" she pointed at a guy leaning on the banister, wearing headphones, "-is Rudy."

"Sup," Rudy said with a wink.

"Come on, Kate," Veronica said. "Let's go check on dinner. Rudy, show your sister her room."

"Follow me," Rudy said with a lazy grin.

As they walked upstairs, Abbie said, "So... you're kind of my big brother now."

Rudy smirked. "I don't like that title. Just call me Rudy. We're barely a year apart."

He gave her a once-over. "You're cute."

She smiled. "Thanks. You're handsome too."

Rudy led her to a room and opened the door.

"Purple walls? My favorite color! I love it!" Abbie beamed.

"I figured," Rudy said, lingering in the doorway. "I'll call you when dinner's ready."

"Okay, thanks."

She flopped onto the bed, legs kicking in the air. Behind the door, Rudy gave one last look and muttered, "Didn't think my stepsister would be this hot..."

He shut the door behind him.

✧ Meanwhile: Alexander Leighton ✧

"Alex... I'm tired," the girl whispered breathlessly.

Alexander Leighton ignored her, pulling off the used condom and reaching for another.

"Turn around."

"-I-I don't know if I can..."

He leaned close, brushing a hand down her spine. "You want to be my girlfriend, right?"

She nodded.

"Then do what I say."

She obeyed, and he slid into her without hesitation. The room echoed with her moans and his low, guttural groans.

When he finally pulled away and walked into the bathroom, water ran down his chiseled torso as he emerged, towel slung low around his hips.

"So... we're official now?" the girl asked, hope clinging to her voice.

Alex gave her a cold look. "No."

Her face fell. "But you said-"

"I said if you satisfied me. You didn't."

She clutched the bedsheet. "Please... just one chance."

"I don't do repeats, sweetheart," he said coolly, pulling on his shirt. "Your performance was forgettable. Let's leave it that way."

He walked out, ignoring the scream of "I hate you!" that echoed down the hall.

His phone rang.

"Mother," he answered.

"Alex! Where the hell have you been? It's almost 11 PM!"

"I'm not a kid anymore," he muttered. "I'll be out tonight."

"Alex-"

"Love you, Mom. Bye."

He hung up and started the car. "Next stop... Mathilda."

✧ Human Trafficking – M•D ✧

In a dark warehouse far from campus, dozens of naked, trembling women were chained, crying, and begging.

"Please... let us go-"

"It hurts-stop!"

A man in a suit walked calmly down the hallway, ignoring the screams.

He entered a high-tech control room where a man with slick hair sat in front of multiple screens.

"Don," the man greeted him with a bow.

The boss looked up. "Any new goods?"

"Yes." He handed over a tablet displaying five young women's photos.

Don smirked as he swiped-until he paused on one photo.

Abbie Kim.

He stared for a moment, then set the tablet down.

"Keep her flagged. No action until I say so."

"Yes, Don."

"As a reward, take your pick. One girl. Your choice."

The man bowed again, eyes scanning the captives like meat. He stopped in front of a trembling blonde and grabbed her arm.

"No... please... save me," she begged.

He only smirked. "Save your strength for later."

✧ L&C University ✧

"This is your school now," Veronica said proudly as their car pulled onto campus.

"Looks amazing," Abbie whispered.

"You're in your second year now, same course as Rudy-software engineering. He'll help you settle in."

"Absolutely," Rudy said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Stick with me."

As they stepped out of the car, students began whispering.

👥 "Who's that?"

👥 "She's cute! Is that Rudy's girlfriend?"

👥 "No way. I think she's his stepsister."

👥 "Wow... Korean girls are stunning."

Abbie blinked at the attention but smiled.

"You're already popular," Rudy teased.

"Let's go get your schedule," Veronica said. "Class has already started."

Rudy held Abbie's hand as they followed her inside.

✧ Trouble Begins ✧

Once everything was sorted, Veronica kissed Abbie's cheek. "You're officially a student now. Go find your lecture hall-and don't get lost!"

"I won't, Mom! Love you!" Abbie waved and pulled out the campus map.

She followed the signs toward her class... until she bumped into someone.

A tall, stylish girl stumbled back, glaring.

"I'm so sorry!" Abbie gasped, offering a hand. "I wasn't looking."

The girl slapped her hand away-and then slapped her face.

"Watch where you're going, b*tch!"

Abbie froze, her cheek burning. A drop of blood slid down her skin.

Her fingers curled into fists.

This... was not the welcome she expected.

TBC♡